The Thoughts of One Principal

The Monday, September 26th edition of the New York Times carried an interesting piece entitled 'The Secrets of a Principal Who Makes Things Work.' There are a good number of Ms. Getz's ideas (she works in a tough part of NYC) that, in my view, have much merit. I want to share them with you.

"A good principal has been a teacher"

"A good principal feels at home in a cafeteria filled with 800 children eating rubbery scrambled eggs for breakfast"

"A good principal has her own style"

"A good principal protects her teachers from the nonsense"

"A good principal sets her own standards high"

"A good principal works with union leaders to carry out her education agenda, and if she can't, takes them on"

"A good principal knows teachers are only part of what make a school run"

"A good principal takes money out of her pocket for the school"

"A good principal loves and trusts the public schools where she works"

"A good principal worries in private, ignores the surreal and finds a way to get things done"

"A good principal has a To Do list several feet long"

"A good principal leads by example"

Many good qualities in the above and its clear that the relationship between the principal and his/her teachers is a critical one relative to the success of students.

Dick

Mark it on your Calendar!!

Let's get together with like minded and supportive people of education! I can think of no better way to the celebrate that successes of all of the work, time, energy and goodwill of our donors and volunteers than saying 'thank you' at our October 27th 'Donor Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.'

It's a great meal, with a terrific program, a wonderful guest in Principal Carmilla Young (Fuller Elementary in Chicago) and the food is free!! To be a part of the festive evening simply email me at rich219@comcast.net.

We only do this every other year so make it a point to come out to share in the wonderful experiences that comprise the work of Schools Count. You'll enjoy hearing from one of the recipients of the great work of our charity.

Looking forward to seeing you!
Dick

Another Way to Look at It

There are critics out there who think that public education has gone the way of the Titanic. Such people accuse teachers of wrongdoing, unions of harming the educational process, and bureacrats of protecting the system.

I have never claimed that some poor teachers are out there or that some bureaucratic practices are sometimes out of touch with what goes on in the classroom.

But let's take another look at public education from a different vantage point. Let's examine how students have been affected by their teachers. Who hasn't had inspiring teachers? Plenty of us have had such individuals. Who hasn't had a teacher who we have gone to with some serious issue or problem, school related or not? It happens frequently. And who among us can claim a teacher or two as a role model? My guess is that there are plenty of individuals who can answer in the affirmative.

Though some reforms need to take place, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the vast majority of public school educators continue to inspire, will be there when needed and will act as a positive role model.

I for one, continue to see positive things taking place in public education.

Dick

KICK is still 'kickin' it In!

Plenty of players from the various Hinsdale Central High School boys soccer squads took part in the KICK event this past Sunday. To each of you, and your parents, please accept my thanks for being a part of such an important event relative to helping young people who are your age who often go without the school supplies we often take for granted.

We also had a number of local Business Sponsors who stepped up and contributed in a significant way. Thanks goes out to Clarendon Hills Bank and Hinsdale Bank, SVM/Fuel Incentive Products, Inc., Silbrico Corporation, Sports Clip, Kramer's Foods, Domino's Pizza, Soccer 2000, Daily Scoop, Campus Colors, and Meatheads.

A number of Soccer Family Sponsors also provided sizeable support to the KICK effort. They include the following families; Andrews, Basalone, Bergevin, Cheever, Enders, Floersch, Gesior, Gutman, Krohn, McGowen, Meyer, Oleferchik, Parsons, Pranger, Proussaloglou, Reavis, Scott, and Williams.

As of the is morning the grand total of $5800.00 has been raised in the name of children-in-need.

I realize that each and every person has a choice of what they can do with their funds but I want everyone to know that I am heartened by your choice of assisting our charity through your generosity. You have surely put a smile on the face of many children!

Many thanks,
Dick

KICK Works Wonders!

This past Sunday the Hinsdale Central High School boys varsity soccer team was to hold its soccer-tennis KICK (Kick It in for Chicago Kids) event. Well, mother nature decided not to cooperate and the heavens opened up and doused the tennis courts with a good bit of rain. That canceled the fun part of the day...playing!

Due to the conditions we went indoors and passed out the KICK t-shirts (they look absolutely great) and enjoyed some pizza and gatorade. Ann Scott and I thanked everyone for coming and related some stories of thanks told to us by the children who have received school supplies courtesy of KICK.

Despite the miserable conditions, KICK turned out to be a monumental success. Altogether, with corporate sponsors, family backing, KICK registration fees and donated gift certificates $5,600.00 was raised...truly an amazing amount of money!

I want to thank seniors Mitch Reavis, Will Meyer and Andrew Scott (varsity players) for coordinating the event. Their leadership is certainly appreciated. Thanks also goes out to every single parent, player and company who supported the event and, in turn, are helping those in need obtain the resources they desperately need in order to be successful in their studies.

Thanks to one and all,
Dick

Thank You's - 2011

I am always trying to figure out ways to convey the gratefulness of the recipients of school supplies to our donors and volunteers. It's not always easy to find a way to pass along the heartfelt thanks of those, particularly people hundreds of miles away, who have benefitted from your kindness.

Fortunately, last week I received some 60 letters from students in New Orleans expressing their gratitude for your assistance. The letters of thanks from a few 4th and 5th graders at Fannie Williams Elementary School are to the right of this note. Simply click on the image and it will enlarge to the point where you will be able to read it.

If you are like me, after reading the notes, it is pretty obvious that the kids are extremely thankful for the donation of supplies. Of course none of this would be possible without your time, effort, and funds.

Enjoy!!
Dick

Some Randomness!!

#1 I continue to be perplexed by this scenario. Our population, number of school age students, are all on the rise in this country yet we are getting larger class sizes in many areas while teachers are being cut. Makes no sense to me.

#2 Why do we continue to assess student success largely based on test scores? What happened to improvement, work ethic, attendance and the like?

#3 A fantastic teacher is still the primary means of delivering a great education. Can you imagine if your son or daughter was taught purely by a computer without the face-to-face interaction? I can...it would be disaster!!

#4 I hope schools, and the public-at-large, don't lose sight of the fact that vocational training needs to be an important element in the educational process. Not everyone wants to attend college.

#5 I find it appalling when I hear people say that young people, who come from high crime areas with great poverty, simply 'need to pick themselves up by the bootstraps.' Here's the big problem with that statement...they aren't provided the proverbial bootstraps!!! (resources, support, community backing, jobs, etc.)

Thanks for following my blog,
Dick